Method and apparatus for automatic bowling scorekeeper

ABSTRACT

The disclosure introduces a new concept in automated scoring systems for bowling; that of the score sheet memory bank. A score sheet memory bank is herein defined as a score sheet presenting a permanent record printed out as a function of a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;pins standing&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; array which, in addition to being optically projectable in conventional fashion, functions as a non-electric memory bank of an otherwise electronic score computer. A pin sensing system, based on the definition of pin sensing zones by intersecting reflecting and transmitting optical paths, transmits &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;pins standing&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; information to distinct optical projection and data printing systems. The transmission of the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;pins standing&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; information to the optical projection system takes place after each ball is rolled and is subject to a manual correction based on individual observation prior to the time a circuit to the data printing system is completed through a momentary time delay circuit. The data printing system then prepares a permanent record of the standing pin array which is optically projectable in conventional fashion and, additionally, functions as the memory bank of an optoelectronic computer system which performs summing computations culminating in a digital printout for each frame.

United States Patent [451 Dec. 12, 1972 Bolger, Jr. et al.

[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC BOWLING SCOREKEEPER [72] Inventors: John G. Bolger, Jr., Orinda; Carl A.

Walker, Moraga, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Digilux Corporation [22] Filed: June 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 44,733

Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Att0rneyColtOn and Stone [57] ABSTRACT The disclosure introduces a new concept in automated scoring systems for bowling; that of the score sheet memory bank. A score sheet memory bank is herein defined as a score sheet presenting a permanent record printed out as a function of a pins standing array which, in addition to being optically projectable in conventional fashion, functions as a non-electric memory bank of an otherwise electronic score computer.

A pin sensing system, based on the definition of pin sensing zones by intersecting reflecting and transmitting optical paths, transmits pins standing information to distinct optical projection and data printing systems.

The transmission of the pins standing information to the optical projection system takes place after each ball is rolled and is subject to a manual correction based on individual observation prior to the time a circuit to the data printing system is completed through a momentary time delay circuit. The data printing system then prepares a permanent record of the standing pin array which is optically projectable in conventional fashion and, additionally, functions as the memory bank of an optoelectronic computer system which performs summing computations culminating in a digital printout for each frame.

26 Claims, 4l Drawing Figures.

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PATENTED DEC 12 I972 sum 10 HF 27 1 N VE NTORS JOHN G BOLGER, JR. CARL A. WALKER BY W ATTORNEYS.

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PATENTEDUEE 12 I872 SWEET 19 [1F 27 FIG. 28 D JOHN G. BOLGER,JR. CARL A. WALKER ATTORNEYS. 

1. An automatic bowling scorekeeper, comprising; pin sensing means positioned adjacent the pin spot area of a bowling lane for sensing pin data, a scoresheet, data printout means for recording said data at a plurality of bowling frame positions on said scoresheet, scoring logic means for performing a seriatim summation of said recorded data, and symbol printout means for recording said summation at said spaced frame positions.
 2. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 1 wherein said scoring logic means includes data sensing means for sensing said recorded data.
 3. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 2 wherein said data sensing means includes scanning means for performing a separate scanning operation of said pin data at each of said bowling frame positions.
 4. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 3 including a scoring head assembly supporting said data printout means, data sensing means and symbol printout means, and means mounting said scoring head assembly for movement into and out of contact with said scoresheet and for traversing movement thereacross.
 5. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 4 wherein said last named means includes a support rack, a crosshead mounted for traversing movement relative thereto along a compound path of movement including horizontal and vertical components toward and away from said scoresheet, lost motion connection means interconnecting said scoring head assembly with said crosshead for providing a momentary stationary contact between said scoring head assembly and scoresheet at each of said plurality of frame locations during portions of said compound path of movement undergone by said crosshead, and means for constantly driving said crosshead throughout said compound path of movement.
 6. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 5 including means for portraying said pin data for visual inspection prior to recording the same on the scoresheet, and means for correcting said data prior to said data printout.
 7. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 6 wherein said last named means includes means for momentarily disrupting the drive means for said crosshead, and manual switch means for selectively reversing the portrayal of any of the portrayed pin data.
 8. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 5 including means responsive to said momentary stationary contact for activating said scanning means.
 9. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 5 wherein said compound path of movement is a trochoidal path of movement, and said last named means includes eccentric drive means.
 10. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 1 wherein said scoresheet is comprised of an optically transmissive substrate and an opaque electrically conductive coating facing said data and symbol printout means, means for selectively impressing a voltage across said scoresheet and various ones of said printout means for removing discrete portions of said coating at said frame positions, and light transmitting means positioned on the side of said scoresheet opposite said coatings whereby discrete light paths will be transmitted through those portions of the scoresheet from which the coating has been removed.
 11. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 10 wherein said data sensing means includes scanning and photosensitive means for detecting the presence of at least some of said discrete light paths.
 12. The automatic scorekeeper of claim 1 including means for portraying said pin data for visual inspection prior to recording the same on the scoresheet, and means for correcting said data prior to said data printout.
 13. The automatic bowling scorekeeper of claim 1 wherein said pin sensing means operates to sense the pins standing after each ball rolled in a frame and to provide an output indicative thereof to said data printout means, said scorinG logic means including data sensing means for sensing said recorded data and operative to provide a data output indicative thereof, and scorer means operative to receive said data output and register a cumulative score for each successive frame.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said scorer means includes working counter means operative in response to said output to register the tens complement of the total number of standing pins after each ball roll.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said scorer means includes decade counter means connected to said working counter means and operative to store the tens complement indication registered by said working counter means during the scoring of each frame.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 which includes foul sensing means operative to sense the occurrence of a foul during a frame, and foul control circuit means operative by said foul sensing means to cause said data printout means to record data indicative of 10 standing pins.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said scorer means includes pulse generating means connected to provide input pulses to said decade counter means, strike or spare control means operative in response to a sensed strike or spare by said data sensing means to cause said pulse generating means to provide a multiple of pulses equivalent to ten pins knocked down to said decade counter means consistent with the rules of bowling scoring.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 which includes first reset means operative to reset said working counter means upon the completion of scoring in each frame by said scorer means and second reset means operative to reset said decade counter means upon completion of scoring of a game up to the current frame by said scorer means, said decade counter means registering a cumulative score from the scoring of each frame.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 which includes numerical printout means, numerical printout driver means connected to receive an output provided from said decade counter means, said numerical driver means being operative upon receipt of an activating signal to selectively energize said numerical printout means to cause a numerical printout indicative of the cumulative score registered by said decade counter means.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said data printout means includes printing means operative to selectively print a representation of a standing pin map and foul, strike and spare symbols, printing control means connected to said pin sensing means, said printing control means operating to control printing by said printing means in response to said pin sensing means, said data sensing means operative to sense a representation printed by said printing means and to provide a signal for each printed representation of a standing pin and to activate said spare and strike control means in response to printed spare and strike symbols.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 which includes bonus ball control means connected to said scorer means and said printing control means, said bonus ball control means operating during the tenth and eleventh frames to cause operation of said printing control means and scorer means in response to said pin sensing means.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 which includes error correction means connected between said pin sensing means and said printing control means, said error correction means being manually operable to alter the standing pin output provided from said pin sensing means to said printing control means.
 23. An automatic bowling scorekeeper for scoring a plurality of bowling lines on a single scoresheet, comprising; pin sensing means positioned adjacent the pin spot area of a bowling lane for sensing pin data following each ball roll, a scoresheet, data printout means for recording pin data representative of each ball roll at a plurality of bowling line positions on said scoresheet, scoring logic means for performing a seriatim summation of the pin data recorded in each bowling line commenCing with the earlier recorded data, and symbol printout means for recording said summation.
 24. A method of automatically computing bowling scores, comprising; positioning a scoresheet in data recording position, sensing pin data after each ball roll, recording said data at each of a plurality of frame locations in bowling line form on said scoresheet, performing for each frame score a separate summing operation of said data at each recorded frame location in a single line, and recording subtotal summations at a plurality of said frame locations while maintaining said scoresheet in said data recording position.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the separate summing operations include mechanical scanning operations of said data at each of the recorded frame locations.
 26. The method of claim 24 including the step of portraying the pin data prior to recording of the same. 